Bay of Quinte water quality improving

Submitted photo
Three water quality challenges, identified for the Bay of Quinte, have received official confirmation from the federal and provincial governments of a status change and can be considered restored.

The Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan restoration council has announced three water quality challenges, identified for the Bay of Quinte, have received official confirmation from the federal and provincial governments of a status change and can be considered restored. The challenges are fish and wildlife populations and habitat and underwater bugs. This means five of an original 11 water quality challenges have been deemed restored. Additionally, two other challenges have met their scientific criteria and have started the re-designation process. This leaves four challenges which are close to meeting their scientific criteria and starting the process as well. After all 11 water quality challenges have been formally declared restored the Bay of Quinte can be removed from the Great Lakes Area of Concern list. “Today, the Bay of Quinte is a healthy and vibrant ecosystem, well-known for its world-class walleye and bass fishery. Reaching this milestone in rehabilitating the bay is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our federal, provincial and municipal partners, as well as industry, agriculture, the public and local conservation authorities,” stated Terry Murphy, general manager of Quinte Conservation and co-chairperson of the BQRAP restoration council. “These are exciting times for the Bay of Quinte restoration council. After several decades of rehabilitating the bay we are starting to change the status of a number of the water quality challenges. Now, it is important to ensure strategies are in place so the bay doesn’t backslide to conditions that required a remedial action plan in the first place,” stated Glenda Rodgers, CAO of Lower Trent Conservation and co-chairperson of the BQRAP restoration council. So what does all this mean? The bay is a huge economic driver for the area and the source of drinking water for thousands of area residents. As the RAP starts to wind down, the process of ensuring water quality does not backslide will need to take on a more local focus. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining the bay’s water quality. Whether it’s implementing stewardship projects to improve water quality, advocating for water quality issues, volunteering as a citizen scientist, or talking to your local politicians and municipalities about actions to keep the bay a healthy and vibrant ecosystem. Maintaining water quality is everyone’s responsibility. The final reports and supporting information can be found on the BQRAP website – www.bqrap.ca. The Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan is in partnership locally with Lower Trent Conservation and Quinte Conservation.